More commonly referred to as 100,000 miles!

Yes, as a long time member (but infrequent poster) of this forum...it's time for me to throw my hat into the 100,000 mile ring. Like many of you, it's discouraging to read post after post detailing problems with the RX-8. So it's always the highlight of my day to read accounts from others who feel the way I do about my Mazda...nothing but pure excitement.

For those that question this cars reliability...here are my stats:
100,000+ miles (photo coming soon for proof)
Parts Replaced: Oil Filters, Air Filter (K&N), Cabin Air Filters, Spark Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Wiper Blades, Tires, Trans and Diff Fluid (Redline), Installed protective screens for oil coolers and radiator.
So that means everything else is original. Yes, the original Renesis with the original CAT (unheard of, right!), original ignition coils, original starter. The only CEL I have ever seen was the infamous P2070 which was easily cleared with 20-30 miles of high RPM driving. How can you not LOVE a car that fixes itself, by revving the **** out of it?!

Interestingly enough, I never had the ECU flashed with the latest update. I have been premixing since about 35,000 miles with a mixture of Yamalube 2R (3oz/12gal) and FP60 (3oz/12gal). I live in a cool climate (Wisconsin) so that might be part of the cause for my good fortune. I run 93 octane in the summer and 87 or 89 in the winter.

And of course...YES I do visit Dr. Redline on a daily basis. There's nothing on the road that compares to the sound of a rotary turning at 9,000rpm...IMO. Whether it's good for the engine or not doesn't much matter to me. I can't imagine NOT hearing that spectacular sound for more than 24 hours.

I also want to mention that this forum has been a GREAT source of information. The DIY section has guided me through all of my routine maintenance. So thanks to everyone that has taken the time to document their vast rotary knowledge!

I am in the process of planning a major 100,000 mile maintenance overhaul...and any suggestions for items that might be good to replace are welcome. The current parts list in my garage is as follows: 4-spark plugs, 4-spark plug wires, 4-ignition coils, 4-brake pads, and a bottle of SeaFoam to clean out the intake system. I am considering replacing the fuel pump assembly, starter, front/rear shocks, and clutch pedal bracket...rather than wait until these items reach their respective failure points. Any thoughts are always welcome!

-Ben

 

Congrats! Nice to see an '04 model be this reliable.

I'd recommend flushing any fluid that's never been done. Other than that sounds like you just need to drive!

 

Thanks, Wulf...I knew I would leave a few things out. The coolant was flushed at about 50,000 miles. The only fluid I can think of that is original is the AC refrigerant. That might be a good thing to add to my list.

 

What oil do you use? Good luck on the next 100k.

 

this thread gives my 04' some hope!!

 

I started with Castrol GTX 5w20 (since that's what the owners manual recommends), but have been running 5w30 for the last 50,000 miles or so. Oil changes have been performed every 3,000-5,000 miles with one top-off (1/2 to 3/4 quart) at the 1,500-2,000 mile mark.

 

im almost at 100k havent been driving it much lately so maybe a few more weeks!

 

get bhr coils and bhrpump, seafoam it and do another 100k
check your wheel bearings and all joints for its reliability
for rotor and pads if you love the car get some nice dba rotors and hawk pads

mazmart waterpump and tstat wouldnt hurt (belts while ur there?)

 

What's this BHR pump? Have i missed something?

edit: Fuel Pump?

 

Congrats Cheesehead

BHR Fuel Pump is probably not necessary unless you are FI or are experiencing fuel starvation on the track.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

Not true... If it ain't broke you need to do preventative maintence to keep it that way.

I'd like to see the airlines use that analogy.

I would do the water pump and all the hoses.

 

There is such a thing as loving your car too much, you pervert


Congrats to wisconsinben for looking after your car so well. Have you owned it from new?
Having just got my '09 recently - loving it, of course - and hoping it will last as well as that... I'm considering what sort of protective screens and preventative maintenance might be necessary. To the forum search!